Parents across the Valley are feeding their babies avocados as part of a research study by Arizona State University aimed at examining the effects of this fruit on infant development. The pilot program, called Guac & Grow, investigates how avocado consumption influences motor skills, growth, and gut microbiome in infants.
Study Overview
Megan Rivas, a participant in the study, is feeding her 6-month-old daughter, Monroe, avocados in hopes of contributing to findings that could benefit other infants. Professor Corrie Whisner, alongside postdoctoral scholar Gissel Marquez Alcaraz, is leading the research, which focuses on the nutritional advantages of avocados, known for their healthy fats and rich content of vitamins.
Whisner noted that avocados contain significantly higher nutrients compared to other common baby fruits, like apples or bananas, but long-term benefits for infants have not been previously studied.
Importance of Early Nutrition
The study highlights the significance of early nutrition, particularly during the first year of life when much of a child’s development occurs. Whisner pointed out that interventions during infancy could potentially influence lifelong health outcomes, including obesity and metabolic diseases.
Parents participating in the study receive avocados delivered every 16 days for six months. Initially, they are asked to feed their babies a quarter of an avocado daily, increasing to half an avocado in the latter half of the study. The project manager, Marquez Alcaraz, conducts in-home visits to monitor the infants’ growth and development, collecting data through surveys and physical measurements. A device called the Veggie Meter is used to assess carotenoid levels in the babies’ skin.
Parental Engagement
In addition to the nutritional focus, the study offers families support through gift bags containing diapers, wipes, toys, and invitations to social events. Parents like Michelle Polk, who has also participated with her children, express enthusiasm for learning about the impacts of nutrition on health.
Rivas appreciates the ease of participating in the study, feeling it enhances her parenting experience. Whisner and Marquez Alcaraz aim to assist more families in Arizona by gathering additional data, with plans to recruit 100 more infants for the study.
Source: Arizona State University
